Kids & Family

The PDA Parenting Podcast

by Amy Kotha

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Latest episodes

Ep. 25 | When Your Child Is Dysregulated with Stacy Nation

September 23, 2026 · 56 min

What happens when your child is dysregulated - and suddenly you are, too? In this episode of the PDA Parenting Podcast, Amy talks with therapist, author, and educator Stacy Nation about what’s happening beneath challenging behavior, why…
PDA Parenting: When Compliance Thinking Hides in Neuro-affirming Parenting

September 3, 2026 · 32 min

Even when we understand PDA, autonomy, nervous system safety, and the difference between “can’t” and “won’t,” old compliance-based parenting patterns can still sneak in. In this episode, Amy explores how even compassionate, PDA-friendly…
Autistic Meltdowns: Why They Begin Long Before the Meltdown

July 16, 2026 · 24 min

Why do autistic meltdowns seem to happen over something so small? In this episode of The PDA Parenting Podcast, parent coach Amy Kotha explores why the visible trigger is rarely the true cause of a meltdown. Through the fictional story of…
Holding Grief (And Each Other)

June 29, 2026 · 30 min

Grief isn't only about death. Sometimes it's saying goodbye to a season of parenting. Sometimes it's watching your child grow up. Sometimes it's the end of a coaching group, a move, a beloved pet, or simply the realization that life is…
What If PDA Isn't A Behavior Problem?

June 19, 2026 · 18 min

What if PDA isn't a behavior problem at all? In this episode, Amy explores a powerful shift in perspective that can change how parents understand PDA. Instead of viewing avoidance, refusal, aggression, or meltdowns as the problem, what if…

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What Has Fear Convinced You Is Your Job? (And Why You're So Exhausted)

June 13, 2026 · 31 min

Many parents of PDA, autistic, and other neurodivergent children find themselves exhausted, overwhelmed, and constantly worried about their child's future. But what if fear has quietly convinced you that you're responsible for things no…
When Boundaries Break Down: Parenting PDA Kids Through Unpredictability, Nervous System Safety & Letting Go of Control

May 5, 2026 · 18 min

After a break for health and recovery, Amy returns with a powerful conversation on boundaries, unpredictability, and nervous system regulation. If you’ve ever felt like you’re on an emotional rollercoaster - hopeful one moment and…
PDA, Food Preoccupation, and Weight Gain: Nervous System Parenting for Neurodivergent Kids

January 29, 2026 · 20 min

If you’re parenting a PDA child or teen and food feels scary right now, this episode is for you. Many PDA kids experience food preoccupation, binge-like eating, weight changes, or rigid food preferences - often as a response to stress…
Why Traditional Parenting Programs Don’t Work for PDA Families - and What I Do Instead

January 9, 2026 · 9 min

Traditional parenting programs often don’t work for PDA families - not because parents aren’t trying hard enough, but because the structure itself creates pressure. In this episode, I share why I stopped offering a weekly parenting class…
When Learning Shuts Down: PDA, School Trauma, and Why Traditional Education Stops Working (Part 2)

December 19, 2025 · 49 min

This is Part Two of my conversation with educator and consultant Danielle Rodda of Neurodivergent Consulting. In this episode, we shift from why learning shuts down to how learning begins again - through safety, trust, and nervous system…
When Learning Shuts Down: PDA, School Trauma, and Why Traditional Education Stops Working (Part 1)

December 17, 2025 · 42 min

What happens when learning shuts down - at school, at home, everywhere? In Part One of this two-part conversation, I’m joined by educator and consultant Danielle Rodda to talk about why learning becomes unsafe for so many PDA and…
The “Good Mom” Myth: How PDA Parents Can Break Free from Holiday Judgment and Comparison

December 2, 2025 · 18 min

The holidays hit PDA parents harder - and it’s not your fault. In this episode, we break down why judgment, comparison, overwhelm, and the “good mom” myth intensify this time of year - and what’s really happening inside your nervous…

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About the show

A podcast for parents raising PDA autistic kids and teens. Real talk, personal stories, and practical tools to move from chaos to connection - hosted by parent coach Amy Kotha.